Teach English in China – Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobshttp://goldstarteachers.com
Teach English in China to young learner and adults students. ESL teaching jobs in China at all the major cities.Thu, 17 Aug 2017 06:35:15 +0000enhourly1http://goldstarteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/star-copy-150x150.pngTeach English in China – Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobshttp://goldstarteachers.com
32326 Tiny Cultural Differences to Expect in Chinahttp://goldstarteachers.com/6-tiny-cultural-differences-to-expect-in-china/
http://goldstarteachers.com/6-tiny-cultural-differences-to-expect-in-china/#respondWed, 16 Aug 2017 04:13:06 +0000http://goldstarteachers.com/?p=22648When you move to China, there are plenty of huge cultural differences to adjust to. A collectivistic culture. A hierarchical society. The importance of saving face. There are also countless tiny cultural difference between China and Western countries. Preparing for these changes will not only make your transition easier, it will [...]

SDE International - Shenzhen

When you move to China, there are plenty of huge cultural differences to adjust to. A collectivistic culture. A hierarchical society. The importance of saving face.

There are also countless tiny cultural difference between China and Western countries. Preparing for these changes will not only make your transition easier, it will also impress the Chinese people you cross paths with in your everyday life. When we travel, most arguments and tensions can be chalked up to cultural misunderstandings. If you know what you’re getting into, you’ll better understand your Chinese acquaintances.

1. Staring

Growing up in America, I was taught that it’s rude to stare at people.

In China, staring is socially acceptable. As a foreigner, locals ogle at you. A lot. People gawk at me when I do something as normal as walking down the street. They even sneak photos of me. (I say “sneak.” They’re not as sly as they think they are.) The times I’ve done things out of the ordinary, such as crying my eyes out in public or having my hair dyed pink, you can guarantee everyone was watching.

Don’t be freaked out when you’re getting unwanted attention. Although I know people are always watching me, I never feel in danger.

2. Taking off Shoes

In China, it’s respectful to take off your shoes before entering another person’s home. Usually, the person offers you a pair of house shoes to keep you comfortable.

People even remove their shoes before walking into their own apartments. While this ritual initially struck me as tedious and silly, eventually it hit me that the streets in China aren’t usually as clean as those in America. It’s actually much more sanitary to remove shoes before walking around one’s home. I would never even consider wearing my shoes, then propping my feet up on the sofa in China. Gross!

3. Drinking Water

First of all, it’s unsanitary to drink tap water in China. This isn’t too much of an inconvenience however, because bottled water is cheap and readily accessible. Also, you’ll probably discover that your office has its own water cooler.

Second, Chinese people don’t like drinking cold beverages, even when it’s hot outside. They always drink hot water or tea. If you’re at a restaurant and ask for water, they serve it to you hot. If you want a glass of ice water, order “yībēi bīng shuǐ,” and the server will accommodate you.

4. Drinking on Public Transportation

While buses are lenient about eating and drinking on board, the metro system is pretty strict. In Mainland China, bottled water is allowed, but you’d better not try to sneak some coffee or soda. I live in Shenzhen, and if a policeman catches you drinking on the metro, he can fine you up to 500 yuan.

In places like Taiwan, not even water is permissible. On a recent trip to Taipei, my husband had a cold, so he carried a bottle of water with him. Every time he took a swig on the metro, a citizen publicly scolded him.

On the plus side, metro cars are very clean as a result of this rule.

5. Hugging

Hugging is not common in China. I hug my female co-teachers under special circumstances, or if we’ve had a few drinks. However, co-ed hugs are almost unheard of. My husband and I both have several close female Chinese friends. If he tries to hug them, even in front of me, they reject the gesture because it’s viewed as improper.

This cultural difference may not seem like a big deal, but it’s been difficult for us. We are major huggers!

6. Talking Loudly

China has a loud culture. In America, we generally try to keep noise in public to a minimum. When our cell phone rings in the office or at a restaurant, we step out of the room or whisper, out of respect to others.

Talking loudly on the phone is not perceived as disrespectful in China. No one whispers. If anything, they yell into the phone to make sure they’re heard. Eventually, you learn to tune it out.

SDE International - Shenzhen

]]>http://goldstarteachers.com/6-tiny-cultural-differences-to-expect-in-china/feed/0Four Great Free Apps for Learning Mandarin Chinesehttp://goldstarteachers.com/four-great-free-apps-learning-mandarin-chinese/
http://goldstarteachers.com/four-great-free-apps-learning-mandarin-chinese/#respondThu, 27 Jul 2017 06:04:03 +0000http://goldstarteachers.com/?p=22106One of the most daunting issues to overcome when living in China is the dreaded language barrier. Sometimes, trying to express the simplest of things can be exhausting if both parties can barely squeak out a basic sentence in each other’s mother tongues. But now, there’s hope! Modern technology has greatly enhanced [...]

SDE International - Shenzhen

One of the most daunting issues to overcome when living in China is the dreaded language barrier. Sometimes, trying to express the simplest of things can be exhausting if both parties can barely squeak out a basic sentence in each other’s mother tongues.

But now, there’s hope! Modern technology has greatly enhanced our opportunities to learn new skills, and learning Mandarin Chinese has never been easier. There are hundreds of helpful apps out there that you can download on your phone to study Chinese on the go. Your half-hour commute on the metro will not only be educational, but it will also fly by as you have fun mastering what you thought was impossible to learn just a few months ago.

Though there are many apps to choose from, these are a few of the ones I have found to be most effective for quickly improving your Chinese. Better yet, they’re free!

Pleco

The gold-standard when it comes to English-Chinese dictionary apps, Pleco is one of the most complete and versatile apps for Chinese learners at all stages. Pleco can work offline, so you’ll be able to make yourself understood in even the most remote, wifi-less locations.

A great feature of the app is the Optical Character Recognizer, which you can purchase as an add-on. It provides instant translations simply by pointing your phone camera at a set of Chinese characters. In addition, the app allows you to hand-write characters in case you don’t know the correct pinyin.

Du Chinese

A great app for Chinese reading, Du Chinese is packed with convenient features to maximize your reading ability. It updates frequently with new short stories, and with six levels ranging from Newbie to Master, you’ll never run out of topics that pique your interest.

Open a story and you’ll quickly notice the many cool features included. Use your thumb to scroll over the words and get an instant translation at the top. You can even play a voiceover of the story and adjust the speed to match your listening ability, or turn the pinyin on or off to test what you know.

To improve your vocabulary, you can simply long press on an unfamiliar word to save it to a word bank. Later, you can open the word bank to take a vocabulary test that uses spaced-repetition to reinforce your memory. As of today, this app is currently only available on iOS.

Memrise

Memrise is one of the first apps I used when I began studying Chinese three years ago, and I still rely on it today. It has managed to build a supportive community of like-minded people who create hundreds of courses with topics they think will be useful for their fellow language learners. Courses include simple topics like verbs, animals, how to read a menu in Chinese, and more complex ones like HSK exam preparation.

The main focus of Memrise is (you guessed it!) memorization. This app pioneered the spaced-repetition learning method which involves reviewing words between increasing intervals of time to better retain information. Using this method, I was able to learn a huge amount of words in just a short period of time. Plus, it’s actually kind of fun!

Quizlet

Quizlet is essentially your very own quiz creator. The great thing about Quizlet is that you can customize your quizzes to learn exactly what you want to learn. Want to learn the names of exotic Chinese foods (凤爪 – chicken feet!)? Or perhaps you’ve got a big exam coming up and need to cram 57 new vocabulary words? Make your own quiz for it.

Once you input the words and phrases you want to memorize into your customized quiz, Quizlet will transfer them into several methods for study, including flash cards, writing practice, and a matching game. It’s a college student’s dream app!

And always remember, the key to achieving anything is persistence. Keep at it and you’ll go from Newbie to Master in no time. So what are you waiting for? Download these apps and get studying!

]]>http://goldstarteachers.com/four-great-free-apps-learning-mandarin-chinese/feed/0Day Trips from Shenzhen: The Dafen Oil Painting Villagehttp://goldstarteachers.com/day-trips-from-shenzhen-the-dafen-oil-painting-village/
http://goldstarteachers.com/day-trips-from-shenzhen-the-dafen-oil-painting-village/#respondWed, 19 Jul 2017 07:53:12 +0000http://goldstarteachers.com/?p=21951As summer approaches, teachers are looking for new and exciting things to do with their time off. Not everyone has full weekends to take trips out of the city (as some people work weekends at training centers or have private lessons to attend to), so here’s a suggestion for a trip that [...]

SDE International - Shenzhen

As summer approaches, teachers are looking for new and exciting things to do with their time off. Not everyone has full weekends to take trips out of the city (as some people work weekends at training centers or have private lessons to attend to), so here’s a suggestion for a trip that will make you feel like you’ve left the busy city bustle behind while traveling along the convenience of the Shenzhen metro.

The Dafen Oil Painting Village is a gated community which marks its entrance with a sculpture of a large hand holding a paintbrush. The community started in the 1990’s when 20 artists who specialized in recreating paintings moved into the village. Since then, the demand for high quality recreations around the world has expanded rapidly. Currently, thousands of artists live within the community and sell their work all over the world.

As you walk around you can see people painting in every available space. Alley ways have lighting installed and canvasses hung on the walls, while painters deep in thought mix colours on well-worn palettes made of wood. The most popular works recreated here are by Van Gogh, Dali, da Vinci, Rembrandt and Warhol, but if you bring a high quality image with you, there will be at least one artist who can recreate any painting you like. Although the village specializes in paintings by other artists, you will also find many shops with originals hung on every spare piece of the wall. Visiting here is like walking through an incredible gallery, one tiny shop at a time.

Whether you need some art to hang on the walls of your new apartment in China, or you want to send something home to your family, Dafen will have something for everyone and at any price point. Competition among artists here is high and so bartering for prices is encouraged. Once you’ve agreed on a price, the artist will help you wrap up the painting and prepare it for mailing or just to take back on the metro.

If you’re not looking to buy any art, this place is still worth a visit as there isn’t a lot of sales pressure like in the local market atmosphere. I would recommend planning a visit during the warmer part of the year in the late afternoon or early evening. There are many convenience stores around the village and it’s quite enjoyable to grab a beer and just walk through the winding streets and watch people paint.People here are very passionate about their art and their way of life. Often a painter will see me admiring their work and pull up a chair for me to sit and chat. I haven’t found many people here who speak a lot of English, but it is such a great cultural experience to try to communicate with someone using body language and it often results in a lot of laughs.
If you’re interested in visiting, the village is located just a short walk away from the Dafen metro station and is also fairly easy to request a cab to as long as you have a translator with you. It will take you an hour or two to walk around and see all the gallery/shops. There is also an official art museum within the walls of the village (which could be an excellent side activity) and an excellent local restaurant back toward the street and metro station, which serves delicious vegetarian dishes. The village is very quiet during the winter as it’s quite cold out, so make sure to plan your trip this summer or fall while it’s vibrant and you can get the most of the experience.

]]>http://goldstarteachers.com/day-trips-from-shenzhen-the-dafen-oil-painting-village/feed/0How to Build Relationships at Your Chinese Schoolhttp://goldstarteachers.com/build-relationships-chinese-school/
http://goldstarteachers.com/build-relationships-chinese-school/#respondWed, 12 Jul 2017 09:20:02 +0000http://goldstarteachers.com/?p=21789Why should you get involved at your Chinese school? Many foreigners who teach English in China view their role as “just a job.” They show up, but go straight home after work and try to skip out on office hours. Instead, why not view this job as a cultural experience? If [...]

SDE International - Shenzhen

Why should you get involved at your Chinese school?

Many foreigners who teach English in China view their role as “just a job.” They show up, but go straight home after work and try to skip out on office hours.

Instead, why not view this job as a cultural experience? If you invest in your school and the people there, you will have a better quality of life in China.

If the experience itself doesn’t motivate you, remember that by becoming part of the school family, your coworkers may be more inclined to help you in times of need. Your principal is also more likely to ask you to re-sign for another year! Who doesn’t love job security?
Here are a few tips for building relationships at your school.

Learn a little Mandarin

Most expats quickly learn “nǐ hǎo” and “xiè xie” when they move to China. My Chinese is pretty rough, but I’ve learned a number of phrases. When I say something to a Chinese person that is beyond what they expect of me, they have a field day!

All I have to do is greet someone with “zǎo shang hǎo” (“good morning”) or count in Mandarin, and my coworkers laugh and compliment me on my efforts. If they correct my pronunciation or try to teach me a related phrase, we’ve made a connection.

Sit with Chinese coworkers at lunch

Many schools offer their teachers a free or inexpensive lunch in the cafeteria. I have several friends who sit alone or surrounded by fellow expats during meals. They don’t want to exert the energy required to have broken conversations with Chinese people “on their own time.”

From day one, I got in the habit of eating with my Chinese coworkers. During lunches, I’ve learned Mandarin, taught English, and shared a lot of laughs from cultural misunderstandings. Even on days when I don’t talk to other people at lunch, the simple gesture of sitting with them shows I am open to relationships.

Join clubs

My school has clubs that meet after school, and each club meets on a different day of the week. These clubs are essentially free classes for teachers. They offer everything from tai chi, to hiking, to crafts.

My husband and coworker, Daniel, and I joined yoga club first semester. Second semester, we switched to badminton club, because badminton is as popular as ping pong in China! Through these activities, we’ve learned new skills, met people, and showed that we’re making an effort to become part of the school family.

Your school may not offer as many classes as ours, but chances are they have at least one or two after-school options. If your school does offer daily clubs, there’s no need to feel overwhelmed! You don’t have to commit to a club every day. We chose just one club per semester.

Bring gifts

No, I’m not suggesting you buy your way into your coworkers’ hearts!

I started noticing that when the people in my office went on a trip or had a spouse make a batch of cookies, they would bring something for everyone in the office.
My husband and I decided to follow cultural expectations, so we started bringing back treats every time we went out of town. We want to show our coworkers that we take their needs and feelings into consideration.

Communicate with your fellow teachers

If you haven’t moved to China yet, you should know that new expat English teachers are assigned a “contact teacher.” This contact teacher is paid to help you with any paperwork and to communicate with your agency about your responsibilities.

I strongly recommend getting to know your contact teacher. If simply getting to know them isn’t motivation enough, keep in mind that the stronger the relationship you build, the more willing they will probably be to help you. Daniel and I are lucky, because we were both placed in the same office as our contact teacher, so it’s been easy to form a bond with her. (Shout-out to Fiona! You’re the bomb!)

Communicate with other teachers, too. Chinese people don’t always offer constructive criticism the way Westerners do, so I’ve learned to take the initiative in asking for feedback.

Accept invitations

When your coworkers invite you to dinner, they are actively trying to initiate a relationship. You may be tempted to skip the group dinner and order McDonald’s delivery again, but consider accepting the invitation.

Chinese people typically pay for your meal if they have invited you. Not only will you get a free meal, but they’ll know exactly what to order. Every time I go to a restaurant with my Chinese friends, it’s been a high-quality dining experience and a wonderful memory.

]]>http://goldstarteachers.com/build-relationships-chinese-school/feed/08 Things Every ESL Teacher Should Keep at Their Deskhttp://goldstarteachers.com/8-things-every-esl-teacher-should-keep-at-their-desk/
http://goldstarteachers.com/8-things-every-esl-teacher-should-keep-at-their-desk/#respondWed, 28 Jun 2017 08:06:59 +0000http://goldstarteachers.com/?p=21496When teaching English in China, you always need to be on your toes. In the nearly three years I have been here, there have been times when I’ve been asked to teach a lesson without much prior planning. The computer mysteriously malfunctioned, another teacher fell ill, somebody told you last-minute your [...]

SDE International - Shenzhen

When teaching English in China, you always need to be on your toes. In the nearly three years I have been here, there have been times when I’ve been asked to teach a lesson without much prior planning. The computer mysteriously malfunctioned, another teacher fell ill, somebody told you last-minute your schedule changed; the reasons are varied and countless.

Now, don’t worry, this situation hasn’t happened too often, but it always helps to keep a few of these items at your office desk in preparation of a worst-case scenario, or just to make your classes run more smoothly:

1. A die (or dice)

A large, soft six-sided die can add fun and the element of chance to any activity. Students can pass it around the room while you clap or play music, and when you stop, whoever has the die must answer the question or speak. Or you could write six questions on the board and have a student roll the die, answering the question that matches the number they rolled. For extra fun, you could even combine both activities, or come up with countless others with just a six-sided die.

2. A call bell

A simple call bell, like ones you see at reception desks, can make games more exciting. Position two students on either side of the bell and call out a question. Watch the students scramble to ‘ding!’ the bell to answer your question! You can also use it to have students signal when their team is “finished”, or to begin a game or activity.

3. Sand timer (or some sort of timer)

Small sand timers can help you keep track of how much time you are spending on each activity. During group work for example, instead of shouting out “5 minutes left!”, you can simply flip over a sand timer so students have a visual representation of the time they should beat (and man, do they really want to beat that sand timer!) Keep different sizes depending on which activities you do: bigger ones for lengthier group work, and smaller ones for short rounds of a game.

4. Textbook for the grade level you teach

When in doubt, check out their English textbook and make a game from what you know they are learning. They are more comfortable with this material and will likely be more engaged and willing to participate. Simple games you can play are Pictionary or Hot Seat with their new vocabulary words, or you can take grammar patterns and vocabulary and have them write short, funny stories or sketches with them and have them read out loud or perform in front of the class. You will be surprised at how many more students will have confidence to speak because they already have some foundation with the material.

5. Sticky ball

Who doesn’t love good old fashioned physical activity in the classroom? An inexpensive sticky ball can make students’ hands shoot up, eager to chuck that bad boy against a target you have drawn on the blackboard. Divide students into teams and keep track of points scored. To make it more perilous, you can add a spot where if they hit it, their team loses points, or has to switch points with another team!

6. Cup (to be filled with your choice of caffeine)

Being a teacher can be tiring, especially when you have to get up early in the morning to teach first period, or when you have to teach five classes in one day. Do yourself a favour and always keep a mug handy at school to provide yourself with jolts of energy, whether that be by coffee, tea, or (for some teachers) Coca-Cola. Soon you will have enough sugar pulsing through your veins to match the energy of your students, and that can make your day go by much more smoothly.

7. Pillow

The long lunch break was invented for a reason: siesta time! Instead of resting your head on your hard, flat desk or your bony arms, purchase a small pillow or neck pillow you can place on your desk at school. You will be well-rested for those afternoon classes where students can be just a tad more distracted and itching to go home.

8. A USB with appropriate movies on it

I would like to preface this by saying movies should only be used as a last resort, and should not be a replacement for hard work and a lesson that gets the students speaking English. That being said, movies are entertaining, students like them a lot, and some will be able to get some listening practice out of it. Sometimes it helps to give the students a break after a couple months of hard work. Just make sure the movies are age-appropriate: you probably don’t want to show Cars 2 to a high school class!

]]>http://goldstarteachers.com/8-things-every-esl-teacher-should-keep-at-their-desk/feed/0Teaching While Sickhttp://goldstarteachers.com/teaching-while-sick/
http://goldstarteachers.com/teaching-while-sick/#respondWed, 21 Jun 2017 08:56:10 +0000http://goldstarteachers.com/?p=21352A few times a year we all succumb to some sort of illness. Coming down with a cold at your regular job stinks; you sit at your desk with a sweater and a cup of tea and do your best to power through the work day. Being sick as a teacher, [...]

SDE International - Shenzhen

A few times a year we all succumb to some sort of illness. Coming down with a cold at your regular job stinks; you sit at your desk with a sweater and a cup of tea and do your best to power through the work day. Being sick as a teacher, when you’re responsible for a classroom full of children, is a little bit harder. Here are some tips and tricks for surviving the workweek when you’re feeling under the weather, but still need to go to work.

Visit the School Nurse

Most schools have some sort of medical practitioner on site. If you come down with a cold the evening before class, you may not have had time to go to the doctor yet. School nurses often treat teachers for free, so stop by and explain your symptoms as best you can.

They’ll often treat you with Chinese medicine and recommend drinking lots of hot water, but you’ll be more comfortable until you can get any other medication you may need from a doctor or pharmacy.

Utilize Lunch Time Naps to Refresh

Chinese people take really long lunch breaks in the afternoon. Typically they range from 12pm-2pm. It is strongly encouraged to take a little nap during this time to refresh yourself for the remainder of the workday.

If you’re sick this will seem like a heavenly reprieve from your responsibilities and can help you feel a lot better about your afternoon classes.

Make Use of the Audio-Visual System

Perhaps you already utilize the microphone while teaching (especially if your class can be a little rowdy) but this piece of equipment is truly invaluable for when you’re feeling weak or you have a sore throat.

When you’re sick it’s important to not strain to be heard as it can increase the amount of time it takes to heal, so dial the volume up a little bit and you’ll be back to your old self in no time. As many teachers know it is important to switch up the class with different ways to learn: games, songs, reading exercises, conversation drills, etc.

When I’m sick I try to use a lesson which incorporates a few video activities or audio files so that I don’t need to speak as much. For example: A lesson on Transportation can have a listening worksheet. Where students identify the sound of a specific vehicle and write it down. Students then take turns asking each other “What did you hear” and answering “I heard…”. Using technology in creative ways can make sure you still have a productive class when you’re not feeling so great.

Use Familiar Activities

My classroom thrives on routine because students know what to expect. We don’t play the same games every day, but there are certainly crowd-pleasers that students become extra excited about. When students know what to expect from a game there is no need to explain the rules every time. For example: at the end of my classes we sometimes play a “Word Scramble” game.

I show a word where the letters are mixed up (jellyfish becomes sifyleljh) and the students know they need to remember how to spell the vocab word to decode what it is. The first student to raise their hand and answer correctly gets a reward. Playing games that make students excited and eager to participate can help

Assign a Class Monitor

This is an excellent classroom management tip in general, but can be especially helpful when you’re sick and you don’t have a co-teacher present. If you’re not feeling well it can be difficult to create and teach a lesson while maintaining control of the classroom. Instead of taxing yourself by moving around the classroom correcting behavior, you can make the day of a normally disruptive student by giving them some responsibility.

Typically, I pick one of the children that I know is a “talker” and ask them to help me keep the other kids in line. They are given a piece of paper and a pen and they write the names of the students who are being disruptive or who are not following instructions during the class.

This list is passed on to their homeroom teacher who can speak to the disruptive children on your behalf. Generally there is a sense of community among teachers, and they’ll take it personally if they know their kids are taking advantage of you when you’re not feeling 100%.

Being sick and going to work is an unpleasant experience for anyone but with these tips and tricks you can arrange your classes to be as easy as possible when you’re not feeling the greatest. Remember, an apple a day keeps the doctor away!

SDE International - Shenzhen

]]>http://goldstarteachers.com/teaching-while-sick/feed/0Teaching in Shenzhen? 4 Weekend Destinationshttp://goldstarteachers.com/teaching-in-shenzhen-4-weekend-destinations/
http://goldstarteachers.com/teaching-in-shenzhen-4-weekend-destinations/#respondWed, 14 Jun 2017 05:58:10 +0000http://goldstarteachers.com/?p=21217If you’re considering living and working as an expat in Shenzhen, I have good news: you will never be bored. Shenzhen itself will keep your weekends busy, from hiking Mount Wutong, to visiting Window of the World, to shopping at Luohu Market. One of the nicest things [...]

SDE International - Shenzhen

If you’re considering living and working as an expat in Shenzhen, I have good news: you will never be bored. Shenzhen itself will keep your weekends busy, from hiking Mount Wutong, to visiting Window of the World, to shopping at Luohu Market.
One of the nicest things about Shenzhen is its proximity to other Chinese cities. After all, isn’t exploring the country one of the main reasons you want to teach in China? Even if time and money are tight, there are plenty of weekend trips you can take to maximize your time in China. Here are a few of my favorites.

Hong Kong

Shenzhen is right across the border from Hong Kong. If you live in Futian District, you can probably make it through customs, jump on the metro, and get into Hong Kong’s city center within an hour and a half! Hong Kong is the city with the most skyscrapers in the world, famous markets, and dim sum to die for.

If you want great scenery, take the famous cable car to the top of Mount Victoria and enjoy the 360-degree view of Hong Kong. If you’re looking for a day hike, check out Dragon’s Back, Lantau Peak, or Tian Tan Buddha. Dragon’s Back and Lantau Peak introduce you to the natural side of Hong Kong, with gorgeous mountain scenery. You can climb steps to the top of the Tian Tan Buddha statue for the ideal view of the sunset over the city.

Macau

Like Hong Kong, Macau is an independent territory of China. Westerners affectionately refer to Macau as “The Las Vegas of Asia,” so this is the place to go if you’re hankering for a weekend of partying and gambling. Some of the most popular casinos are the Altira, Babylon, and Broadway Macau Casinos.

If you’re not much of a gambler, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy Macau! Go to the Macau Tower to experience one of the tallest bungee jumps in the world. See a magic or variety show. Walk around the ruins of St. Paul’s. Macau was a Portuguese territory until 1999, so fantastic Portuguese food and Portuguese-Cantonese fusion abound.

Take the ferry from Shekou Port in Shenzhen to Macau, and then take a taxi or bus downtown.

Guangzhou

You can easily hop on a high-speed train from Shenzhen to Guangzhou! This city is the capital of Guangdong Province, where Shenzhen is located. Guangzhou and Shenzhen are the only tier-one cities in Southeast China.

The biggest must-see attraction in Guangzhou is the Canton Tower. Eat at Twist Mediterranean Buffet, a rotating restaurant that sits atop this nearly 2000-foot structure! You can also take a cruise on the Pearl River, which is the best way to see the city’s most picturesque spots. If you like museums, the Guangdong Folk Arts Museum is very popular.

Dapeng

Okay, you caught me, Dapeng is part of Shenzhen! However, I included the town in this list because it’s a classic vacation spot for people living in Shenzhen city. Dapeng is a little beach town about two hours away from Shenzhen’s city center. The best way to get there is by riding the metro to Luohu Station, then taking a one-hour cab ride into the town.

Try to go on a sunny weekend, because Dapeng’s beaches are beautiful, with mountainous scenery. While you’re there, order as much fresh seafood as you can get your hands on! Set aside a full afternoon to walk around Dapeng Fortress, a walled village built in 1394 to protect villagers from Japanese pirates. Walk the fortress’s alleys to enjoy cute cafes, gardens, and ancient buildings.

SDE International - Shenzhen

]]>http://goldstarteachers.com/teaching-in-shenzhen-4-weekend-destinations/feed/05 Easy Steps to Find an Awesome Apartment in Southern China!http://goldstarteachers.com/5-easy-steps-find-awesome-apartment-southern-china/
http://goldstarteachers.com/5-easy-steps-find-awesome-apartment-southern-china/#respondFri, 09 Jun 2017 06:26:10 +0000http://goldstarteachers.com/?p=21131It’s that time of year again! Public school contracts are almost complete and companies are looking to rehire their teachers for the coming school year. New teachers are preparing for departure from their home countries and so they are beginning to research their destination cities to prepare themselves for arrival. One of [...]

SDE International - Shenzhen

It’s that time of year again! Public school contracts are almost complete and companies are looking to rehire their teachers for the coming school year.

New teachers are preparing for departure from their home countries and so they are beginning to research their destination cities to prepare themselves for arrival. One of the first things you’ll do after orientation is chose an apartment. Here are 5 easy steps to help you chose an awesome apartment when you arrive.

1. Evaluate Locations

There tend to be two schools of thought about ideal locations when choosing an apartment in a large city:

• Choose an apartment in a trendy social scene and commute to school every day
• Choose an apartment very close to work and commute for social activities

Both ideologies have pros and cons, but I think it really comes down to personal habits. Some questions you should ask yourself are: Is proximity to the downtown important to you? Are you someone who fights for every extra minute of sleep?

Are you someone who can handle a commute with a large number of people on public transit? Do you want to be very close to your social life so you can arrive at a moments notice?

Once you’ve decided a location that fits your lifestyle, it’s time to go apartment hunting. Your school or recruiting company will probably be able to help you find reputable agents to show you apartments. In Southern China almost all apartments are shown via agents.

2. Prepare Financially

Apartments in China are much cheaper than in most western cities; however your first month will likely be a little more expensive than signing a lease at home.

In China, apartment buildings charge you a deposit equivalent to one month’s rent (which you can get back at the end of your lease provided the apartment isn’t damaged) and the first month of rent up front.

Once you decide on an apartment, you also need to pay the agent who showed it to you their fee, which is normally about half of a month’s rent. This works out to approximately 2.5 months of rent before you get the keys. While this is a slight inconvenience, it is standard practice and having the information ahead of time can help you arrive prepared.

It also helps to keep in mind the cost of start up items for your home such as cleaning products etc. If this seems daunting, a great way to cut costs and improve your social life is to consider finding a roommate. This can be a great money saving measure as having a roommate helps with the cost of rent, deposits, management fees, food and more.

3. Consider Eastern vs Western Amenities

As you may know, there are differences between typical western homes and those in Asia. The most noticeable differences will likely be the bathroom and bedroom.

I enjoy a really hard mattress, and when I was apartment shopping I found that China was really accommodating to my preferences. Mattresses here range from a thin flat hard surface to the softer styles that westerners are used to at home. When choosing a furnished apartment, don’t be afraid to lay on the bed to make sure it is suitable for you!

Showers in China are not typically encased and the squat toilets can seem a little tricky at first. While apartment shopping, I made it a goal to find a home with a western toilet and to experiment with the new type of shower (these options are readily available).

With time I became accustomed to using the other type of toilet, but it certainly gave me an adjustment buffer to have something familiar in my own bathroom.

4.Keep Seasonal Weather in Mind

Winter in Southern China is damp and a little chilly. Apartments in China don’t use heating like in western countries, so your apartment will not likely have a thermostat. One of the ways to help keep a comfortable climate in your home is to have a South facing window.

This means you’ll get more of the sun during the colder months and worry less about dampness. South facing apartments are often a little more expensive, so alternative options include portable heaters or dehumidifiers.

5. Be Realistic About Storage

Many westerners bring as many things from home with them as can fit in their suitcases. When evaluating apartment options, keep in mind all the things you have with you, and the things you’re likely to acquire while living in a new place.

Making sure you have somewhere to store your suitcases and items properly will make your new home much more comfortable.

So there you have it! Follow these 5 easy steps and you should find an apartment which meets your needs and can accommodate your new lifestyle as a teacher!

]]>http://goldstarteachers.com/5-easy-steps-find-awesome-apartment-southern-china/feed/0A Curious Cultural Difference: When “Thank You” Can Be Too Muchhttp://goldstarteachers.com/a-curious-cultural-difference-when-thank-you-can-be-too-much/
http://goldstarteachers.com/a-curious-cultural-difference-when-thank-you-can-be-too-much/#respondThu, 01 Jun 2017 06:24:50 +0000http://goldstarteachers.com/?p=20936One of the first things we learn when we begin to learn a language is how to say “thank you.” This useful phrase can make us appear both charming and refined when interacting with people who barely know you and barely speak your own language. In English-speaking countries, it has become so [...]

SDE International - Shenzhen

One of the first things we learn when we begin to learn a language is how to say “thank you.” This useful phrase can make us appear both charming and refined when interacting with people who barely know you and barely speak your own language. In English-speaking countries, it has become so commonplace that we use it for just about any sort of favour, no matter how trivial, and to not use it would be inviting a glare and a hiss. So naturally I brought my western formalities to China and said “xiè xiè” (thank you) nearly every time someone did something nice for me, from giving me a gift to handing me a pair of chopsticks, thinking I was being my good ol’ polite self. However, I quickly discovered that in China, more than a couple ‘thank you’s can be too much of a good thing.

The first time someone made me aware of how polite I was being was in my neighbourhood gym, where grunting is usually the preferred method of communication. Let’s look at how an interaction entirely in Chinese at my gym went:

Trainer: Your Chinese is quite good!Me: Thank you!Trainer: Here, let me help you.
*I do a set of bench presses while the trainer spots the weight*Me: Thanks!Trainer: You’re welcome.
*I finish another set*Me: Hey, thanks again!Trainer: You westerners sure like to say thank you a lot.Me: Does it sound weird?Trainer: I know many foreigners like to say thank you for most favours, so I understand why you would as well. But most Chinese people, we would never say thank you so much!

When the trainer said that, my mind immediately raced through previous interactions I have had with other Chinese people and conversations between Chinese friends and colleagues I have eavesdropped on. Come to think of it, I didn’t recall hearing very many “thank you”s being exchanged. In fact, to many Western ears, it may even sound like they were being rude to each other!

So, why don’t Chinese people say thank you as much as westerners do?

Intrigued, I asked the trainer why Chinese people do not sprinkle the phrase “thank you” as liberally throughout conversation as we westerners are so accustomed to doing. She explained that, even when talking to a stranger, the use of the phrase “thank you” serves to create a distance between two people, and implies that you would rather keep the relationship formal instead of friendly. Chinese people usually reserve “thank you” for very large favours, or when gifts are being given; it is rarely dropped between friends and family. A favour is usually expected to be reciprocated in the future, so in lieu of a verbal expression of gratitude, an action will nearly always speak louder than words. Though this cultural difference is slowly being changed with increasing western influence, it is still important to remember that when Chinese people don’t say thank you or when they find it odd when you do, it is not entirely rooted in rudeness or politeness, rather it is more likely due to differences in the way East and West perceive and reciprocate actions.

So, when should we use “xiè xiè” (thank you)?

Between close friends and family, “thank you” should only be reserved for very large favours or gifts (sorry, passing the salt doesn’t warrant it). Between co-workers and acquaintances, it can be used a little more often but should not feel excessive. Treating you to lunch would be an example of when to say it, with the expectation that you will treat them to lunch at some point in the near future. With strangers, it is okay to say thank you if they help you out, however, I rarely hear it being said to convenience store or supermarket cashiers. Basically, learn by observation, and you will pick it up quickly.
These are just a few tips on “thank you” culture in China. As a foreigner in China, it is always worth it to adapt to local customs as it will bring you closer to other people. On the other hand, as a foreigner in China, people don’t expect you to be able to grasp every little cultural nuance, so why not just be your polite self and say thank you when you feel the need to? After all, some people may find it charming.

]]>http://goldstarteachers.com/a-curious-cultural-difference-when-thank-you-can-be-too-much/feed/08 Great Activities for Primary School Classroomshttp://goldstarteachers.com/8-great-activities-primary-school-classrooms-2/
http://goldstarteachers.com/8-great-activities-primary-school-classrooms-2/#respondWed, 24 May 2017 08:36:41 +0000http://goldstarteachers.com/?p=20786My husband and I teach at a public primary school in Shenzhen, China. While the children are adorable and hilarious, teaching English to little kids can be challenging for several reasons. First, they have an overwhelming amount of energy. Second, they have short attention spans. The younger they are, the more often we [...]

SDE International - Shenzhen

My husband and I teach at a public primary school in Shenzhen, China. While the children are adorable and hilarious, teaching English to little kids can be challenging for several reasons.

First, they have an overwhelming amount of energy. Second, they have short attention spans. The younger they are, the more often we have to change activities to hold their interest. Third, there are 50 to 60 students in our classes, so we need to find activities that engage all of them. Fourth, I teach grades 1 and 2, so my pupils haven’t learned how to write in English yet. As a result, the exercises I can do with them are limited.

If you are a primary school teacher, you may find yourself facing similar obstacles. After teaching for 6 months, my husband and I have found several games our little learners enjoy that are also consistently effective instructional tools. Here are 8 of our favorites.

1. Coloring pages

During the second term, my grade 1 and 2 students learn colors. Every once in a while, I give them coloring pages with images of their vocabulary words. Then I tell them to color each image a certain color. For example, I say, “Color the blouse pink,” and “color the dress red and yellow.” They are able to review their colors and practice their new vocabulary.

After they finish coloring an image, I call on one individual at a time to practice the target words. Grade 1 students just have to say something simple, such as, “It’s green!” For grade 2, I make things a little more difficult. Last week they had to say complete sentences using colors and clothes. For example, “I have a red and yellow dress.”

2. Hide and Seek

Print pictures on sheets of paper. Show the first picture to the entire class and call on one child to identify the image.

“Flower!”

That kid comes to the front of the classroom and closes their eyes while you hide the paper under a book on another student’s desk.

The first student has to find the sheet of paper. They do so with the entire class’s help. They must say, “Flower, flower, flower …” The closer the seeker gets to the hidden paper, the more loudly their classmates chant the vocabulary word. Hide and Seek is a fun way to have the entire class repeat and memorize vocabulary words!

3. The Bomb Game

Divide the students into groups and let them compete! Roger’s ESL PowerPoints offers some free Bomb Game templates, which you can adjust to your class’s vocabulary. Give each team five points at the beginning of the game, and the team with the highest score when the bell rings wins! This also offers students an opportunity to practice their letters.

4. Tic-Tac-Toe

Divide the students into two teams, X and O. A child must answer a question correctly to get an X or O on the board for their team. This website provides a variety of easy-to-use PowerPoint templates, but I especially like Tic-Tac-Toe.

We’ve played this game with grades 1 through 6. It’s always a hit, no matter the age!

5. Songs

Singing is a great way to get children to loosen up and learn new material.

Go onto Youku.com to download songs. Super Simple Learning has numerous great options, such as, “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” “Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” and “Baby Shark.” If your kids are learning the seasons, most students adore the song “Four Seasons.” Bounce Patrol, a Youku channel, has a great series for learning letters of the alphabet.

6. Ball game

A fellow primary school teacher recently recommended this game to me as a warm up, and my kids love it!

Bring a ball to the classroom. Students pass around a ball while you play a song on the computer. I usually play Justin Bieber’s “Baby.” They go bananas for The Biebs!

When you stop the song, show the students a picture on a flash card or on the PowerPoint. The person holding the ball when the music stops has to identify the vocabulary word.

7. Board races

Call two students to the front of the classroom. In your PowerPoint presentation, pull up two pictures side by side. You may have a picture of a pie and a picture of a cake. Yell, “Cake!” The first kid to run to the board and touch the cake picture wins a point for his team.

8. Pictionary

Young students are usually eager to participate in Pictionary. They love to get out of their seats, be creative, and show off! I usually have one child draw at a time. The student who correctly guesses the vocabulary word gets to draw next.